Geline Salac

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Filipino youth show heroism in action

Tourists  take off their masks for a quick selfie at the Bonifacio Shrine  or the Kartilya ng Katipunan near the Manila City Hall on September 20, 2021. Outdoor parks and tourists spots have been reopened as Metro Manila is placed under the pilot COVID-19 Alert Level 4  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Kartilya

Nursing student Precious Pescador performs first-aid to a jeepney driver who fell ill. Courtesy: Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc.

Nursing students

PUP Wired celebrates their recognition among the top innovators during the Shell Eco-marathon 2026. Courtesy: PUP Wired

PUP Wired

Students and youth groups walk out of classes as part of the Black Friday protest at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City on Friday, September 12, 2025, to denounce alleged corruption in government projects. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Youth Protest

SolAsin inventor John Carlo Reyes demonstrates how to use the salt farming equipment. Courtesy: James Dyson Award

SolAsin

ABS-CBN News Intern

<div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CNffH1ZCIxs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>MANILA – In an age where the scrolls in a phone have replaced the crumpled pages of a well-loved book and history unfolds in real time on our screens, where might this generation find its heroes?</p><div><br/></div><p>As the country marks National Heroes Day, we may not have to look too far. They may be found in the young people at the forefront of modern acts of courage, service, innovation, and excellence.</p><div><br/></div><p>The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JpwPH3GRQ/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">outlined criteria for recognizing a hero</a>. It codified 10 pointers based on a list from historian Teodoro Agoncillo, according to its Board Resolution No. 21 s. 2023.</p><div><br/></div><p>Among these are a person’s sacrifices for the welfare of the country, their moral character, and their influence on their generation and those that follow.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788197448969Kartilya.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Tourists  take off their masks for a quick selfie at the Bonifacio Shrine  or the Kartilya ng Katipunan near the Manila City Hall on September 20, 2021. Outdoor parks and tourists spots have been reopened as Metro Manila is placed under the pilot COVID-19 Alert Level 4  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner">Tourists take off their masks for a quick selfie at the Bonifacio Shrine or the Kartilya ng Katipunan near the Manila City Hall on September 20, 2021. Outdoor parks and tourists spots have been reopened as Metro Manila is placed under the pilot COVID-19 Alert Level 4  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>History has often painted heroes as those who shed blood on battlefields in the name of their country. But as the times change, genuine acts of courage and noble behavior are no longer displayed only in the frontlines. They can also be seen in the kindred faces of hope we encounter every day.</p><div><br/></div><p>A society constantly looking for a hero may be a society grappling with social ills, notes historian Xiao Chua. </p><div><br/></div><p>Yet in times of crisis and uncertainty, choosing and recognizing heroes are important, stresses Assistant Professor Jonathan Geronimo of the University of the Philippines Diliman Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikang Pilipino.</p><div><br/></div><p>“Sa kasalukuyang panahon natin na napakatindi nung ekonomikong krisis, pulitikal na krisis sa pamamahala ay mahalaga pa rin at kinakailangan pa rin talaga na magtakda ng mga bayaning Pilipino,” Geronimo said.</p><div><br/></div><p>Perhaps, then, heroism today does not always mean waiting for one extraordinary figure to save the day. Sometimes, it means recognizing the people who choose to act where they can, using whatever skills, platforms, or opportunities they have to serve others.</p><div><br/></div><p>“Nagiging bayani ka sa kapwa mo at sa bayan mo kung ikaw ay tumutulong, nagmamalasakit nang walang pag-iimbot, at ginagawa mo nang tama yung trabaho mo, at kasama na doon ang paglilingkod sa iyong bansa,” Chua said.</p><div><br/></div><p>For the youth, this can take many forms.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:360px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788197627300NURSING PHOTO (2).jpg" style="width:360px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Nursing student Precious Pescador performs first-aid to a jeepney driver who fell ill. Courtesy: Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc."/><span class="fr-inner">Nursing student Precious Pescador performs first-aid to a jeepney driver who fell ill. Courtesy: Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Bulacan nursing students Precious Pescador and Joana Mae Barquilla showed that heroism can begin with simply being there when someone needs help. The two immediately stepped in to provide first aid when a jeepney driver fell ill while on the road back in May 2026. </p><div><br/></div><p>For Barquilla, the incident displayed how young people can use their knowledge to help other people. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Ang tingin ko nga po sa mga new generation or tayong generation, sobrang nasa level na po tayo na matured enough para tumulong and malaman yung mga first aid para po makahelp din sa ibang tao. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Kaya po sobrang laking tiwala ko din sa mga new generation na kaya din po nila yung ginawa namin ni Precious,” she said. </p><div><br/></div><p>Pescador, meanwhile, saw the incident as a source of hope for Filipinos. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Kumbaga naging isa po siyang liwanag para po magkaroon po ng hope pa ‘yong mga Pilipino, na mayroon pa pong mga mabubuting puso talaga na handang tumulong kahit may sariling problema sila as much as possible,” she said.</p><div><br/></div><p>The two students’ quick response not only helped a fellow Filipino in a moment of need but also earned them recognition from their school, the Dr. Yanga’s Colleges Inc., which granted both students full scholarships until their graduation.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/4/2-nursing-students-binigyan-ng-scholarship-matapos-tulungan-ang-jeepney-driver-2047" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">READ: 2 nursing students, binigyan ng scholarship matapos tulungan ang jeepney driver</a></p><div><br/></div><p>Service can also mean taking a stand.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788197573231Youth Protest.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Students and youth groups walk out of classes as part of the Black Friday protest at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City on Friday, September 12, 2025, to denounce alleged corruption in government projects. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner">Students and youth groups walk out of classes as part of the Black Friday protest at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City on Friday, September 12, 2025, to denounce alleged corruption in government projects. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Dexter Clemente, creator of the “Ikulong na ‘yan, mga kurakot” chant that became popular in protests following the flood control scandal, took the call for action against social issues and injustices to the streets alongside fellow students. </p><div><br/></div><p>For Clemente, who served as the University of the Philippines’ 42nd student regent, student activism is rooted in service to the people—a conviction reflected in his work representing the voices and concerns of students before the university’s highest governing body.</p><div><br/></div><p>“Bayani ng mga kabataan sa kasalukuyan ‘no, kung in a broader sense, ‘yong mga kabataan na lumalaban sa loob ng pamantasan hanggang sa labas,” Clemente said, describing young people who fight for what is right within and beyond the campus.</p><div><br/></div><p>Innovation in the name of building a brighter future is also an act of heroism.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788197937414SolAsin John Carlo Reyes.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="SolAsin inventor John Carlo Reyes demonstrates how to use the salt farming equipment. Courtesy: James Dyson Award"/><span class="fr-inner">SolAsin inventor John Carlo Reyes demonstrates how to use the salt farming equipment. Courtesy: James Dyson Award</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>This is what student John Carlo Reyes had in mind when he invented SolAsin, a compact salt-farming equipment designed to make the practice more accessible to salt farmers. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Maaari siyang maging susi or maging sagot sa mga problema sa ating komunidad at maaari ding maging sagot sa problema ng ating bansa,” Reyes emphasized.</p><div><br/></div><p>The same spirit was seen among Polytechnic University of the Philippines students Cristian Marl Maranon, Angel Ortega, John Louis Alano, Dwayne Brayan Cahilig, Chris Celine Tibule, Rodeliene Aloc, Ian Lourenz Santos, Daniel Cosare, and John Paul Curada, who built an eco-friendly car for an international student engineering competition in Poland this July.</p><div><br/></div><p>The group called PUP Wired won Eight Place among representatives from more than 50 countries and was the only one from Asia in the top 10.</p><div><br/></div><div>“Itong mga natututunan natin na mga solving… gawin in the practical and build something na makakatulong not into [ourselves] but into our country, mabigyan natin ng parangal ‘yong ating school and ‘yong bansa natin,” Aloc, their Ergonomics and Safety Lead, said.<br/><br/><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788197517489PUP Wired.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="PUP Wired celebrates their recognition among the top innovators during the Shell Eco-marathon 2026. Courtesy: PUP Wired"/><span class="fr-inner">PUP Wired celebrates their recognition among the top innovators during the Shell Eco-marathon 2026. Courtesy: PUP Wired</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>And then there are those who carry the country’s name onto the world stage through excellence in their chosen fields.</p><div><br/></div><p>The country continues to beam with pride because of the hard work and successes of tennis star Alex Eala, whose achievements on the international court have made her a source of inspiration for young Filipinos aspiring to make their own mark.</p><div><br/></div><p>“Ever since napanood ko ‘yong mga matches niya, sobrang napahanga ako na she’s very unapologetic of being a Filipina, how she can be very passionate on court and full of wisdom off court. Ako, naimpluwensyahan na rin ako to take beginner’s lessons ng tennis,” said Jamie Baluyot, a fan of the tennis player.</p><div><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/8/29/imagination-has-a-lot-to-do-with-her-success-says-eala-0007" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">READ: Imagination has a lot to do with her success, Alex Eala says</a><br/><br/></div><p>These young Filipinos may come from different fields and pursue vastly different goals. Yet what binds them together is not simply youth or achievement; it is the decision to use what they have in ways that extend beyond themselves. </p><div><br/></div><p>And sometimes, heroism may simply be found in young people choosing, despite uncertain and difficult times, to do something that makes life better for others. <strong>–With reports and interviews by Marc Adrian Bote, Josiah Delima, Seven Fangki and Vincent Gregorio</strong></p><div><br/><br/><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xoM30GVeNgY??si=7c6qKCjZY66mbq3d&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>History has often painted heroes as those who shed blood on battlefields in the name of their country. But as the times change, genuine acts of courage and noble behavior are no longer displayed only in the frontlines. They can also be seen in the kindred faces of hope we encounter every day.</p>

History has often painted heroes as those who shed blood on battlefields in the name of their country. But as the times change, genuine acts of courage and noble behavior are no longer displayed only in the frontlines. They can also be seen in the kindred faces of hope we encounter every day.

Filipino youth show heroism in action

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Filipino youth show heroism in action

ABS-CBN News Intern,

Frances Nicole Flores

Published September 01, 2026 06:35 AM PHT

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heroism

youth

activism

innovation

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